OKLAHOMA CITY — The team that prides itself on never taking mid-range jumpers is one step closer to the second round of the NBA playoffs because of one.

With 41.8 seconds left and the Oklahoma City Thunder so close to evening this first-round faceoff against Houston, James Harden buried a step-back jumper from the free-throw line over Victor Oladipo that was the antithesis of Rockets basketball. Houston held on from there, taking Game 4 on Sunday at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 113-109, and thereby seizing a 3-1 series lead.

All season long, the Rockets had made their way to a 55-win campaign by shooting only three-pointers and layups. They pushed this mathematical envelope more than any team had before, building a roster that was well-equipped to work the numbers and put together the kind of winner that no one saw coming. Yet this time, Harden went against their grain to get the job done.

His last shot was surely enough to erase the memory of what was his first bad game of these playoffs, a 16-point outing in which he missed 11 of 16 shots and had nearly as many turnovers (seven) as he did assists (eight).

After nearly 44 minutes of top-tier hoops entertainment, with the Thunder leading 58-54 at halftime and 77-73 through three quarters, it became a game of gimmicks down the stretch. D’Antoni went to the hack-a-Shaq strategy at the 4:11 mark, ordering fouls on Roberson (who shot 42.3% from the line this season) on four consecutive possessions. He missed seven of eight attempts in that span and finished 2-of-12 from the charity stripe in the game.

It took a three-point play from Rockets big man Nene with 11 seconds left, and two free throws from Rockets guard Eric Gordon with six seconds remaining, to put the game away. When the buzzer sounded, Rockets guard Patrick Beverley — who on Sunday was fined $25,000 for his exchange with a Thunder fan after Game 3 — shouted “(Expletive) out of here!” three times to the Oklahoma City crowd while celebrating at midcourt.

The 34-year-old Nene finished with 28 points off the bench, while Gordon and Lou Williams had 18 points apiece. Thunder star and fellow MVP candidate Russell Westbrook had 35 points (10 of 28 shooting), 14 rebounds and 14 assists, but he missed a three-pointer with eight seconds left that would have cut the lead to one and then turned the ball over on the Thunder’s final possession.

Oklahoma City used a familiar formula to earn a 58-54 edge at halftime: heavy doses of Westbrook (17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists) and just enough from the rest of the roster to make it work. Thunder center Steven Adams was the unexpected contributor, as he hit all six of his shots in the first half after hitting just seven shots combined in the first three games (he finished with 18 points and seven rebounds).

Yet while Westbrook was making more history, joining Wilt Chamberlain (1967) as the only players to post three consecutive triple-doubles in the postseason, Harden (six points on two of nine shooting, three assists) was having a hard time shaking free from Roberson. After doing such a masterful job against Harden in the regular season, when he averaged just 20.5 points (34.3% shooting overall, 22.5% from three-point range) in four meetings, Roberson had struggled to handle Harden’s best in the first three games (he averaged 38.6 points, 7.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds).

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) attempts a shot against Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) in the first quarter in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan reach for the loose ball during the third quarter in Game 6 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph (50) and San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) battle for a rebound during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward David Lee (not pictured) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and center JaVale McGee (1) and guard Stephen Curry (30) react in the closing seconds of a 128-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers to clinch Game 4 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Jaime Valdez, USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) attempts to dunk the ball while being fouled by Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) in the first half of Game 4 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Jaime Valdez, USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka dunks over Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first quarter in Game 5 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Nick Turchiaro, USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder's Steven Adams (12) loses the ball while defended by the Houston Rockets' James Harden (left) and Eric Gordon. The Rockets won Game 4, 113-109. Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) goes up for a layup against Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second halfof Game 4 of their first-round series at FedExForum in Memphis. Justin Ford, USA TODAY Sports

Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) goes up for a shot against Wizards guard Bojan Bogdanovic in the fourth quarterof Game 3 of their first-round series at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports

Wizards guard John Wall attampts a shot against Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) and forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) in the first quarter of Game 3 of their first-round series at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dunks during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) blocks the shot of Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) pursues Rockets guard James Harden (13) around a screen set by Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during the first quarter of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, right, drives around around Bulls center Robin Lopez during the second half of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series at United Center in Chicago. Caylor Arnold, USA TODAY Sports

Clippers guard Chris Paul, right, looks to pass while be defending by Jazz forward Joe Ingles, left, in the first quarter of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City. Jeff Swinger, USA TODAY Sports

Bulls forward Jimmy Butler goes up for a shot against guards Isaiah Thomas (4) and Avery Bradley (0) of the Celtics during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Caylor Arnold, USA TODAY Sports

Bulls forward Cristiano Felicio (6) dunks against Celtics forward Gerald Green (30) during the second quarter of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series at United Center in Chicago. Caylor Arnold, USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) passes the ball around Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) in the third quarter in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) chase a loose ball in the third quarter in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (6) in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Miles (0) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) defends in the second quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) draws a charge on Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) in the second quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) reacts after making a basket during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball during the third quarter as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) defends in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) defends during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) gets a hug from guard Avery Bradley (0) after hitting a shot against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and center JaVale McGee (1) during the first half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with guard Shaun Livingston (34) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with guard Ian Clark (21) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) and Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (right) and forward Otto Porter Jr. (left) fight for a loose ball during the second quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) passes the ball as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) looks on during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts after a play against Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan in Game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo controls the ball against Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll during the first half in Game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo goes up for a dunk as Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas defends during the first half in Game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas during the first half in Game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports

A general view of fans gathered in the area outside of the Air Canada Centre known as Jurassic Park prior to Game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs between the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors. John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the second quarter in Game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. David Richard, USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (6) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the second quarter in Game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. David Richard, USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the second quarter in Game 1 of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. David Richard, USA TODAY Sports